The meeting was also attended by leaders of EVN’s Technical and Safety Department.

Proactive and flexible in operation

According to the company's report, in the first 9 months of 2025, the two hydropower plants of Son La and Lai Chau operated safely and flexibly, strictly complying with the Inter-reservoir Operation Procedures in the Red River Basin and the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Although the hydrological conditions were unfavourable, the amount of water flowing into Son La reservoir reached 36.7 billion m³ (equal to 76.7% of the average of many years) and Lai Chau reservoir reached 21.1 billion m³ (equal to 70.6%), but the company proactively regulated, closely coordinated with functional agencies and local authorities, and performed well the task of safely preventing and releasing floods, contributing to ensuring safety for the downstream.

The total electricity output of the company by the end of September reached 10.83 billion kWh, equal to 83.57% of the plan assigned by EVN; the whole year is expected to reach 13.27 billion kWh, equivalent to 102.44% of the plan. Of which, Son La Hydropower Plant is estimated to reach 8.81 billion kWh (103.17%), and Lai Chau Plant is estimated to reach 4.46 billion kWh (101.02%).

Working session by EVN’s Vice President  Ngo Son Hai with Son La Hydropower Company on October 10, 2025

The main economic and technical indicators surpassed the plan; the availability coefficient of Son La Plant reached 97.43%, Lai Chau reached 99.31%; the rate of machine downtime due to incidents and self-consumption of power was lower than the regulations. Maintenance and repair work was carried out according to the Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), ensuring quality, optimizing costs, and machine downtime.

Along with the management of equipment operation and repair, the company also effectively implemented construction investment and asset procurement tasks according to the plan assigned by EVN. In 2025, the company was assigned 10 construction investment projects with a total capital of VND 40.28 billion; by the end of September, VND 13.6 billion had been disbursed, estimated to reach more than VND 33.7 billion for the whole year.

Bidding was conducted 100% online, with 65 packages worth a total of VND 129.46 billion; the average savings rate after bidding reached 21.48%. In construction investment activities, in the first 9 months of the year, the company disbursed VND 13.6 billion, estimated to reach more than VND 33.7 billion for the whole year. Asset procurement was implemented in accordance with regulations, ensuring to meet production and safe operation requirements.

Along with the task of power production, SONLAHPC continues to coordinate with the authorities of Son La, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau provinces in the work of propaganda, management of reservoir protection corridors, implementing the "4 on-site" motto in natural disaster prevention, ensuring absolute safety for works, equipment, and downstream areas.

Focus on implementing key year-end tasks and preparing well for the 2026 plan

The company aims to complete all major repair lists, maintain the stability of the units, and prevent subjective incidents; at the same time, promote digital transformation, apply artificial intelligence in equipment monitoring, optimize dispatching, and data reporting. Also, it is to improve the professional capacity of the team after the merger with EVNPSC, effectively promoting high-quality technical human resources.

Regarding construction investment and asset procurement, the company continues to review and accelerate the progress of implementing items according to the plan, ensuring compliance with EVN regulations and the law; at the same time, “it is recommended that the Group consider and approve the cost plan, major repair list, investment and procurement for 2026  to proactively implement it from the beginning of the year.

EVN Deputy General Director Ngo Son Hai making directive speech

Mr. Ngo Son Hai requested the company to continue reviewing and optimizing the major repair process, shortening the downtime while still ensuring quality and technical safety. At the same time, more flexible solutions need to be developed in the selection of spare materials and investment portfolios, avoiding dependence on rigid planning cycles.

Regarding hydrometeorological forecasting, the unit is requested to closely coordinate with EVN's data suppliers to clearly define the input requirements and accuracy required for reservoir operations. Thereby, the Group has a basis to direct the unit to purchase appropriate data, effectively serving the work of water regulation and power system dispatch.

Regarding the 2026 plan, Vice President Ngo Son Hai requested the company to fully prepare plans for major repairs, construction investment, and procurement of spare materials based on the principles of practicality, flexibility, and efficiency. EVN will consider adjusting some regulations towards more decentralization to grassroots units, but with the responsibility of strict control, transparency, and evaluation of effectiveness after implementation.

Translator: Mạnh Hùng